1 - Industrial studies

Abstract

The foundations for the industrial revolution were laid in the seventeenth century by the expansion of trade, the accumulation of capital, and social and political change. The momentum for change originated with the mechanization of the spinning and weaving industries that, in turn, resulted in the cottage industries being replaced by the factory system. This increased the need for machines and for power units that would drive the machines more reliably than water wheels, which came to a halt during periods of drought. The engineering industry was born out of this demand for machines and engines of ever-increasing size and sophistication. Across all fields of engineering, there is a need for maintenance engineering and servicing if complex machines and plant systems are to work efficiently and reliably so as to give an adequate return on the capital invested in themMaintenance engineering and servicing are equally important in ensuring that the machinery and plant systems work safely and do not pollute the environment.